Neonatal Resuscitation Algorithms Versus the Reality of the Delivery

Room

Myra H. Wyckoff, MD

Associate Professor of Pediatrics UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Achieving Consensus on Resuscitation Science

§  Since 2000, a Neonatal Task Force participates with the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) for a complete review of newborn resuscitation science every 5 years.

§  32 new questions being reviewed for 2015 by the Neonatal Task Force

Australian  Resuscitation  

Council  

ILCOR Evaluation Process

§  Identify and prioritize the questions that need scientific review and assign reviewers (2-3 per question)

§  Minimum requirements for every search strategy are specified and done by professional librarians

–  Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Systematic Reviews –  Hand searches

§  Every reviewer rates the level and quality of evidence using a standardized evidence evaluation (GRADE system)

§  Consensus for each question must be reached by entire Neonatal Task Force in Feb 2015

ILCOR uses a formal evidence evaluation process (opens new window) to identify and prioritize questions and assign reviewers, and specifies minimum requirements for every search strategy, including: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Systematic Reviews. Reviewers are also provided EndNote reference software and access to a resuscitation reference library. Every reviewer rates the level and quality of evidence using a standardized international evidence evaluation form. There are separate international task forces for each of the following

Hot Topics for ILCOR 2015

§  Should cord clamping be delayed for neonates who are non-vigorous?

§  How to best maintain euthermia of the neonate in the delivery room?

§  Does intubation and suction benefit the non-vigorous meconium stained neonate?

§  How should oxygen be used for premature neonates in the delivery room?

§  How to deliver initial breaths to a premature neonate in the delivery room?

Guidelines for Neonatal Resuscitation §  Next guidelines available

online October 19, 2015

§  Printed Guidelines supplement will be published in Circulation, Resuscitation and likely Pediatrics

§  Will be able to download at: www.heart.org/cpr

2010 ILCOR Guidelines for Neonatal Resuscitation

Neonatal Resuscitation Program Guidelines are set by the AAP NRP Steering Committee for the United

States and based on the ILCOR Review

2010 Neonatal Resuscitation

Algorithm

Why have a resuscitation algorithm? §  Organize what can be a chaotic experience

§  Provides an excellent teaching aid

§  Focus medical providers on initial steps to promote initiation of spontaneous breathing

§  Encourage rapid assessment as to a newborn’s success in taking effective breaths

§  If needed, initiate effective positive pressure ventilation in a timely manner

§  Balance desire for natural transition with need to prevent on-going asphyxia and injury

2005 Neonatal Resuscitation Alogrithm

Indications For Cardiac Compressions During Neonatal CPR: 2005

§  30 sec of providing warmth, position, suction (if needed), dry and stimulate

§  30 sec of EFFECTIVE assisted ventilation

Chest Compressions are indicated when the heart rate remains below 60 bpm despite

Note: Because chest compressions are likely to compete with effective ventilation, rescuers are encouraged to ensure that assisted ventilation is delivered optimally BEFORE initiation of chest compressions

Unintended Consequences of Time Intervals in the Algorithm

§  Multiple reports compressions being initiated prior to effective positive pressure ventilation or advanced airway –  Perlman et al. ADC 1995, Finer et al. Pediatrics 1999,

Wyckoff et al. Pediatrics 2010

§  But if teams are trained to focus intently on inflating the lung and providing effective ventilation… –  Only 1 in 1000 newborns need cardiac compressions

§  The time pressure of 30 seconds for initial steps, 30 seconds for PPV and then start compressions for HR<60 bpm thought to contribute to these errors

2010 Neonatal Resuscitation

Algorithm

Extra time for assuring

optimization of ventilation

Copyright ©2010 American Academy of Pediatrics

Mnemonic for remembering the six steps for improving efficacy of positive-pressure

ventilation

Techniques for Achieving Effective Ventilation

(MR. SOPA)

Poor Mask Seal Often Inhibits Effective Ventilation

§  48% demonstrated significant mask leak – Majority were corrected with repositioning of

the mask – Some required changing the way mask was

held Schmolzer et al. ADC 2011

Inappropriate Position Often Inhibits Effective Ventilation

§  25% demonstrated significant airway obstruction – Majority corrected with repositioning the infant

in the open airway position Schmolzer et al. ADC 2011

Copyright ©2010 American Academy of Pediatrics

Mnemonic for remembering the six steps for improving efficacy of positive-pressure

ventilation

Techniques for Achieving Effective Ventilation

(MR. SOPA)

Indications For Cardiac Compressions During Neonatal CPR: 2010

§  Providing warmth, position, suction (if needed), dry and stimulate

§  30-60 s of EFFECTIVE assisted ventilation (focus on MRSOPA steps to achieve this first including an advanced airway)

Chest Compressions are indicated when the heart rate remains below 60 bpm despite

Note: Because chest compressions are likely to compete with effective ventilation, rescuers are encouraged to ensure that assisted ventilation is delivered optimally BEFORE initiation of chest compressions

2010 Newborn Resuscitation Algorithm

Time from birth to reliable signal (seconds)

§  N=189 §  EGA 29 (IQR

27-34) wks §  BW 1220 (IQR

930-2197)g

Time from birth to reliable signal (seconds)

The median time taken to perform all tasks was greater than that

recommended in the guidelines

§  The recommended initial 30- and 60-second intervals in the algorithm may be too short

§  The time pressure may encourage providers to skimp on the initial steps in order to initiate PPV

§  Or maybe there are tasks that are just taking too long

So should we keep the 30 second intervals in the algorithm?

§  There will always be the need to rationally balance careful initial steps and clinical assessment in the hopes of avoiding the need for positive pressure ventilation altogether

§  But this will have to be balanced with the risk of additional hypoxic/ischemic injury if ventilation is not assisted in a timely enough manner

Perhaps we need to improve our methods of performing the initial

steps/assessments

Heart Rate Remains The Most Important Vital Sign

§  Cardiac Output = Stroke Volume X Heart Rate §  Stroke Volume Does not Change Significantly in the Newborn §  Therefore, Heart rate determines the output to the lungs

2010 Neonatal Resuscitation

Algorithm

Time from birth to reliable signal (seconds)

§  Healthy Term Deliveries (n=61) §  All had HR assessed with auscultation as well as

palpation of the pulse at either –  Cord base –  Femoral –  Brachial

§  All auscultated heart rates were > 100 bpm

§  Umbilical cord palpation was more reliable but still only 55% identified as >100 bpm, 25% <100 bpm and 20% undetectable

All Heart Rates were >100 bpm by Auscultation

Time from birth to reliable signal (seconds)

§  61 nurses, mid-wives, doctors §  Simulation manikin with audible heart beat §  Assessed heart rate at

– Birth – During initial positive pressure ventilation – During cardiac compressions

Time from birth to reliable signal (seconds)

Providers Are Frequently Inaccurate When Auscultating Heart Rate in Manikins

Providers are Frequently Slow in Determining the Heart Rate and Inaccurate Enough to Frequently

Make Decision Errors

§  ECG and Pulse Oximetry during resuscitation –  Time from arrival at radiant warmer until ECG electrodes

vs Pulse Ox sensor placed §  VLBW infants (n=30): 26 vs 38 sec (p=0.04) §  >1500g infants (n=16): 20 vs 26 sec (0=0.74)

–  Time to achieve audible heart tones from ECG vs Pulse Ox §  VLBW infants: 2 vs 24 sec ( p<0.001) §  >1500g infants: 4 vs 32 sec (p=0.001)

§  ECG provides continuous audible heart rate and may improve timeliness of critical interventions

Time from birth to reliable signal (seconds)

Time from birth to reliable signal (seconds)

§  N=53 babies, 755 data pairs – Median (IQR) gestational age was 37 (31-39) wks – Delayed cord clamping

§  Simultaneous heart rate determinations by pulse oximetry and ECG – Time to signal Pulse Ox 99 ± 33 vs ECG 82 ± 26 sec after birth (P = .001)

(In Press 2014)

Time from birth to reliable signal (seconds)

Blue=pulse ox Green=ECG

Hea

rt R

ate

(BPM

)

Time after birth (s)

In Press 2014

Time from birth to reliable signal (seconds)

Blue=pulse ox Green=ECG

In Press 2014 Heart Rate by Pulse Ox is significantly lower compared with ECG with clinically important

differences in the first minutes of life

§  Unnecessary Interventions may be initiated if relying solely on Pulse Oximetry for Heart Rate in the delivery room

Conclusions

§  The resuscitation algorithm becomes more

science based with each iteration

§  The algorithm is a guideline with some suggested time intervals to balance our desire for a natural transition at birth with the need to prevent on-going asphyxial injury when transition is not going well

§  With our current practice, we often Do NOT meet the suggested time lines

§  Heart Rate is the most important determinant of need for interventions in the algorithm

§  Palpation of Heart Rate is often inaccurate

§  Auscultation of Heart Rate is often inaccurate and can take time away from other important resuscitation activities

§  ECG is much faster and more accurate in determining HR in the DR compared to pulse oximetry

Speculation

§  Use of ECG may have increasing prominence in

the Neonatal Resuscitation Algorithm for Heart Rate Determination in the Future –  For those babies needing resuscitation!

§  New technologies for rapid acquisition of ECG signal are on the horizon

§  There will of course be new difficulties –  Cost –  How to apply quickly to wet baby –  Pulseless Electrical Activity